# Woodturning Epoxy Ashtray Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lStkJ7vX5YU Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/lStkJ7vX5YU Generated: 2026-01-16T15:10:59.415+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator builds a unique, square-shaped ashtray by casting epoxy resin around a central piece of rough wood in a custom mold, subsequently turning and shaping the block on a lathe and finishing the piece by sanding and buffing the resin and wood to reveal a glossy, multicolored final product. **Key Points:** - The project begins by preparing a square mold lined with plastic wrap and placing a piece of rough, irregular wood inside. - Multiple colors of pigmented epoxy resin (red, blue, purple, green) are carefully poured around the wood piece in layers to create a multi-colored effect. - After the resin cures, the resulting block is mounted onto a lathe, where a chisel is used to rough shape the exterior and hollow out the interior bowl area (0:03-0:06). - The shaping process involves significant material removal, leaving white plastic shavings visible on the lathe and the operator's hands. - Once the initial shape is formed, the piece is sanded aggressively, first with tools in the lathe (0:06-0:09) and later by hand with a power sander to refine the shape and remove mold lines (0:06-0:09, 0:51-0:57). - The final steps involve applying a finish, likely oil or polish, to the cured resin and wood, resulting in a highly glossy, deep burgundy/purple ashtray with a contrasting natural wood center (5:57-6:30). ![Screenshot at 0:00: The initial step shows a mold constructed from chipboard lined with plastic wrap, into which two different colors of pigmented epoxy resin \(red and purple\) are being simultaneously poured around a piece of wood.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-00-00.jpg) **Context:** This video demonstrates a DIY woodworking and resin casting project focused on creating a custom ashtray. The process combines the technique of woodturning with epoxy casting, utilizing colored resins and natural wood inclusions to achieve a decorative and functional object. The creator builds a temporary mold from chipboard, lines it, sets the wood insert, pours the resin, and then uses woodworking tools like a lathe and a router/sander to finalize the complex shape. ## Detailed Analysis The video documents the creation of a custom resin and wood ashtray, starting with mold preparation. A square mold, seemingly made from particle board and lined with plastic sheeting, serves as the casting container. A piece of distressed, irregular wood is positioned in the center of the mold (0:19-0:27). Various highly pigmented epoxy resins—including metallic red, blue, purple, and green—are mixed and carefully poured into the mold sections surrounding the wood insert (0:00-0:05, 0:28-0:37). After the epoxy has fully cured, the resulting block is removed and mounted on a lathe where the craftsman uses a turning tool to shape the exterior and hollow out the interior into a bowl shape (0:03-0:06, 0:57-1:03). This process generates significant white plastic shavings. Following the rough turning, the piece is further refined using a random orbital sander on the lathe (0:06-0:09) and then by hand sanding (0:06-0:09, 5:13-5:57). The final stage involves detailing the inside of the wooden recess using a router (0:49-0:55) and then applying a finish, likely oil or wax, to the cured piece, which reveals a deep, glossy, marbled burgundy/purple resin surrounding the warm, textured wood, resulting in a finished ashtray displayed against a brick background (5:57-6:30). ### Mold Preparation and Casting - A square chipboard mold lined with plastic wrap - A rough piece of wood is placed as an inclusion - Multiple colors of metallic/pearlescent epoxy resin (red, blue, purple, green) are carefully poured around the wood (0:00-0:37) ### Lathe Work and Shaping - The cured resin block is mounted on a lathe - A chisel removes material to create the basic exterior and interior bowl shape, generating white shavings (0:03-0:06, 0:57-1:03) ### Refinement and Sanding - The piece is aggressively sanded on the lathe (0:06-0:09) and then further refined using a power orbital sander on the exterior and interior curves (0:06-0:09, 0:51-0:57, 5:13-5:57) ### Detailing the Wood Inlay - A router is used to clean up and shape the exposed wood section within the resin bowl (0:49-0:55) ### Finishing - The final step involves wiping down the piece, likely applying a final polish or oil to enhance the deep colors of the resin and the texture of the wood, resulting in a highly glossy, finished ashtray (5:57-6:30). ![Screenshot at 0:00: Pouring multiple colors of pigmented epoxy resin into the mold surrounding the wooden insert.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:07: The craftsman uses a power sander on the resin block while it is still in the mold to refine the shape and smooth the surface.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-00-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:29: The mold is partially filled with various colored epoxy resins, showcasing the distinct color sections around the central wood.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-00-29.jpg) ![Screenshot at 0:57: The cured resin block is mounted on a lathe, and the craftsman begins turning down the exterior shape with a chisel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-00-57.jpg) ![Screenshot at 6:15: The finished resin and wood ashtray is displayed on a wooden surface against a brick wall background, showing the deep burgundy swirl and the contrasting natural wood center.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/lStkJ7vX5YU/00-06-15.jpg)